The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-07-20
G.. A. r.
A Democratic Soldiers Visw Of the Stu
alton.
a Noble aud Patriotic Organization De-
bauched by Such Men as futile
and Tatrchild.
Especial Correspondence OF the sentineLI

against President Cleveland, in the name
of the Grand Army of the Republic, is
one that demands the attention of every
Democrat that belongs to that or
ganizaiion. 1t is the first political
step taken in the campaign of 1888 by the
Republican party. Without principle or
well-defned policy, the old cry of ''rebel,"
like the signal of Rhoderic Dhu, is the toe
sin that is to arouse the party and preju-
dice the masses and keep the wavering Re-
publicens in line. The fact that President
C4eveland's administration has appointed
more ex-Union soldiers to Government po-
sitions, in two years, than ever was ap-
pointed in four years OF Republican
rule, counts for nothing with the
Sherman, futile and Fairchild
element in the Republican party. In the
name of the G. A. r. they hope to revive
sectionalism aud renew the old strife, and
thereby secure the return OF their party to
power. When the Republican party voted
away hundreds Of millions of acres OF the
public land to great corporations these fell
lows were silent, but when Clevelsnd's
administration restored more than 100,-
000, 600 acres of these lands to the people,
we hear nothing but curses for the
administration from the custodians
of the interest of the soldier. When
President Grant vetoed that just measure,
known as the Equalization Bounty Bill, 1t
went down the Threats of the Republican
G. a. R. agitators as smooth as oil. When
the Republican party in Congress passed
the Arrearage Pension Bill and Republic
can President approved it, thereby
depriving more than 100000 of our
brave comrades of back pensions,
not one of these fellows who are abusing
this administration had the courage to
open his mouth in defense OF the rights OF
the soldiers and soldiers widow. When
sion bills in two years than Gen. Grant,
Hayes or Arthur did ia their entire terms
of Office, this Republican element of the
G.. A. r shows their appreciation of the
fact By refusing to attend reunion OF old
sol6iers where the chief magistrate of the
nation was expected to be present When
the Republican administration sent rebel
generals abroad to represent this country
among foreign nations aud appointed
another to a position in the Cabinet, as
but when President Clsyeland APP
points one OF this class to a
position in his Cabinet, these
fellows lift their hands in holy horror and
cry out: 1.-The rebels are again in the sad
de-" When the Republican party refused
to grant land warrants to the soldiers Of
| the late war, they were as docile as Mary s
| little lamb, out the fact that President
fiscal year, grants more pensions to soldiers
and soldiers w:d1ws, by 8 900 than was ever
grsntsd in any one year OF Republican
rule, is a sufficient cause for these self con-
stituted patriots and conssrvators of the g.
A. r g TO rise up in their mario wness OF
soul, bitterness OF spirit and malignity OF
expression, and refuse to march in a
Fourth of July procession in which ban
ner appeared bearing the portrait Of the
nationis phiaf MAGISTRATE
n true soldier, either North or
South, cherishes memories of the deeds of
his brave comrades, and now accept the
flag, the Union and the administrative
powers of the Government, and will do
honor to the position Of the Chief Msgis-
trate.
This was true when President HAYES
made his trip through the Southern states,
while filling state position, but these
G. A. R. Republicans, who train with such
Confederate Republicans as Malone, Paul
Wise and Riddleberger, of Virginia; Key
OF Tennessee Chalmers, of Fort Pillow fame
the butcher of Union soldiers, Mosby; Cam
eron and Rosser refuse to even be present
in city where the chief magistrate OF the
United States is expected because he is q
Democrat. IT this is characteristic of
brave soldier, and evidence OF
loyalty and honoring our country's flag,
then we confess our inability to under
stand the duties of an American citizen
and the relations he should sustain to his
Government. To the writer IL looks very
much like the intolerant slave holding
| spirit of a half century ago. II is a part
arc parcel of the same spirit that pos ,essed
q Guiteau, and caused the assassination OF
| President Garfield.
Such methods and conditions are not de.
sired in this country by good and loyal
81 II - n n
| Republicans who seek to revive the war
spirit and who would insult the nations
chief magistrate are no better
| than traitors in arms and are
| open enemies to the best interests OF the
American people.
Rather than to subscribe to the ssnti.
ments OF these Grand Army of the Republic
| demsgogues, we prefer the sentiment
| recently uttered in a leading Democratic
| journal of the South, on the occasion of a
| Fourth OF July celebration. It reads:
| 1.-THE war IS over heaven be praised And
| heaven be praise d again that there exists
upon this Fourth of July morn no reason
why any Southern man should not give
| thanks that the Union survives, or feel his
breast swell in honest pride over the glories
that are summed up In its history and the
| liberties and blessings that are symbolized
By one dag that waves for all"
| For many years the Grand Army of the
/ Republic has been in favor and deservedly
held an honored place in the hearts OF all
classes. in spite of the efforts of few low.
bred politicians to use it for political pur-
| poses, but when the Republican portion of
its membership, for political preferment,
| wantonIy insults the nations flag in open
threats and direct attacks against the ma
lions chief magistrate as has recently been
done, then it is high time that every Demo.
| Graf ex soldier Withdraw from the organi-
cation and turn it over to these fellows
| and let them run it as an auxiliary to the
Republican party. This Is in the feeling
| of thousands of the Democratic
| exsoldieTs in this city and
We are glad to note that many Republican
members Of the organization share the
same feeling, and are outspoken in their
denun citation OF the recent events In Maine
and st. Louis.
The attempt of Republican demagogues
| to divert the Grand Army from the pur-
poses for which is was organized, and turn
1t over to the Republican party, must
cease il the organization Is to continue.
No honorable discharged Union soldier can
consent to use the G.. A. r. for political
purposes. w. }. HILIIGoss.
Capt. Co. &C." 10Th Reg. Ind. Vol.
a Deg That Loved Good Society.